“Stuff and nonsense!  Yes, what an absurd thing that wedding was.  Did anybody ever hear or see the like!” Mrs. Chatterton lifted her long jeweled hands in derision, but as no one joined in the laugh, she dropped them slowly into her lap.

“I don’t see any food for scorn in that episode,” said the youth with the moustache.  “Possibly there will be another marriage there before many years.  I’m sweet on Polly.”

Mrs. Chatterton’s face held nothing but blank dismay.  The rest shouted.

“You needn’t laugh, you people,” said the youth, setting his eyeglass straight, “that girl is going to make a sensation, I tell you, when she comes out.  I’m going to secure her early.”

“Not a word, mind you, about Miss Polly’s preferences,” laughed Hamilton Dyce aside to Miss Mary.

“’Tisn’t possible that she could be anything but fascinated, of course,” Mary laughed back.

“Of course not.  The callow youth knows his power.  Anybody else in favor of the Peppers?” aloud, and looking at the company.

“Don’t ask us if we like the Peppers,” cried two young ladies simultaneously.  “They are our especial and particular pets, every one of them.”

“The Peppers win,” said Hamilton Dyce, looking full into Mrs. Chatterton’s contemptuous face.  “I’m glad to record my humble self as their admirer.  Now”—­

“Well, pa!” Mary could not refrain from interrupting as her father suddenly appeared in the doorway.

“I can’t sit down,” he said, as the company made way for him to join them.  “I came home for some important papers.  I suppose you have heard the trouble at the Kings?  I happened to drop in there.  Well, Dyce,” laying his hand on that gentleman’s chair, “I scarcely expected to see you here to-day.  Why aren’t you at the club spread?”

“Cousin Horatio!  I suppose he’s had a paralytic attack,” interrupted Mrs. Chatterton, with her most sagacious air.

“What’s the trouble up there?” queried Mr. Dyce, ignoring the question thrust at him.

“It’s the little beauty—­Phronsie,” said Mr. Taylor.

“Nothing’s happened to that child I hope!” cried Madame Dyce, paling.

“Now, Mr. Taylor, you are not going to harrow our feelings by telling us anything has harmed that lovely creature,” exclaimed the two young ladies excitedly.

“Phronsie can’t be found,” said Mr. Taylor.

“Can’t be found!” echoed all the voices, except Mrs. Chatterton’s.  She ejaculated “Ridiculous!”

Hamilton Dyce sprang to his feet and threw down his napkin.  “Excuse me, Miss Taylor.  Come, Bayley, now is the time to show our devotion to the family.  Let us go and help them out of this.”

Young Bayley jumped lightly up and stroked his moustache like a man of affairs.  “All right, Dyce.  Bon jour, ladies.”

“How easily a scene is gotten up,” said Mrs. Chatterton, “over a naughty little runaway.  I wish some of the poor people in this town could have a tithe of the attention that is wasted on these Peppers,” she added virtuously.